The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1887-09-28

Some Interesting Incidents OF his eiAii"
hoods Days--The Qualities Which Have
Since Distinguished Him Nanifestei II
His Youth.
tFrom q Washington letter.
I had quite a pleasant conversation
last evening with one OF Preslaen'
Cleveland's old schoolma:es, who Is now
occupying position here in one OF the
Government Departments The oia
schoolmate OF the Presidents was BON
at Fayetteville, New York, the town tAa'
Mr.. Cleveland visited some weeks ago.
He told me that Fayetteville is beau
tiful village Of some 1000 or l,Soo IL
habitants, lying in q romantic region
about seven miles east Of Syracuse, ano
is noted among other things for its pro-
ducion of lime. The Cleveland family
removed to that place in the year lS4O'
when the Rev. Richard Cleveland, the
Presidents father, became pastor o. the
Presbyterian Church, and when Grover
was only three years old.
The gentleman referred to related
some interesting "reminiscences OF tEe
Presidents boyhood days at tayet5e
Viz
Their first school days were presided
over nv O. d. Blanchard, who is 81.
living.
sseRovs" GREAT FAvoNTE.
"sGrove,' as the boys ali knew him,
said my informant, ''was always favor
lite in and out Of school. he was 8
strong, good-natured youth, about as
studious as the average school boy, ano
did not, as T recollect him, evlnce any
special liking for books. lndeeo, there
was nothing about him when We were
school boys together that indicated
euture greatness. There were many
other BOYS there who were called bright
r. Although Grove was full OF fun
md Joined in all the boyish sports, such
as riding down hill, snow balling and
the carrying of of front gates, there was
8 certain marked earnestness in his man
nor which distinguished him from the
other boys. When we went to the
Fayetteville Academy, Grove belonged
to debating society, and I frequently
heard him in debate. Ee was not really
s fluent speaker, but I remember very
well that he rapidly developed into q
close and forcible reasoner. II his ar5u-
mentative blows did not fash With
orilliancy, they we're heavy and effective
for boy of fourteen years OF age.
YOUNG CLEVELAND coURAGEoCs
@Grover was decidedly courageous
boy. He would patiently bear q great
deal Of hectoring before he would light,
but he was hard antagonist when MS
wrath became kindled. I recollect one
occasion when he gave an exhibition,
not only of his courage, but also OF his
ability to defend himself against the
assaults of fellow almost twice his SIZE:
This individual was one OF our sehool
bullies. Young Cleveland had inter,
yened to protect small boy from q
severe cutting which the bully was IN.
aicting upon him, whereupon he turned
and said: IF you don't shut up III slap
your mouth 4 don't think You viii,
said Grover very cooly, as he straight
ened himself for battle. But the bully
did slap him, and Grove went IN
rough and tumble, and in very short
lime he had his enemy down believing
loudly for mercy. He was let up with a
bloody nose, and reputation as a
fighter irretrievsbly lost. This great
victory established the conqueror's title
to hero of the school, and We were never
thereafter afraid i we had Grove.
Cleveland on our side. He was one OF
Shs few boys who dared to make the
hazardous ascent of the belfry Of the
academy by way Of the lightning roo. i
remember that few of US climbed up
one night, when be was OF the party, to
usher in the Fourth Of July BY ringing
the bell at twelve o'clock. We were 8
little early and went to sleep in the
belfry, around the floor OF which there
was no railing to prevent our rolling OFT.
I believe on this occasion the trustees,
or somebody else in authority, had for
hidden the ringing of the bell, but ne
couldn't see how the nations birthday
coul6 be properly celebrated at Fayette,
vile. at least without swhooping up the
old bell, and so at y o'clock We made
her ing! While We were making al the
noise We could up there We heard Other
noises IN the building below us, and
having the fear Of the trustees before ous
cver Tsoi5ly sud down the rod! We
reached the ground safely with the ex
ception of Grover, one OF whose leg:
caught on split in the rod, which helc
him there firmly and he could neithe,
oet uo nor down. We liberated hin
finally, alter much difficulty, but his leg
vas pretty badly hurt. He was already
yery fond of fishing, and I ss5 with hin
many s day on log on the banks O.
Limestone creek and fshed for suckers
He was quiet and earnest fisherman
and usually took home good string.
have always thought it little slnguIa,
that he never aared for horseback riding
sa boy. I have no recollection Of eve
- ing linn on a horses back. | don't
Ee7er, think he was AFRAID OF horse
7 any means.
R CIERRs N DRUG STORE.
ssWhen Growers father moved from
Fayetteville, young Cleveland entered {
drug store at that place, where he re
NAMED until 1853 or 81. he boarded
with his employer, and was at that tim'
one of the most popular young men il
the town. He was always genial, friend,
and accommodating, making first clas
clerk. He was firm friend and 81